DEAN THOMAS has called for referees to be allowed to use common sense after falling foul of the men in the middle during the bank holiday weekend.

The Hinckley United boss was critical of the officials in both Saturday's goalless draw at home to Solihull Moors and Monday's 1-1 draw at King's Lynn.

Many poor challenges went unpunished in Saturday's encounter and Andy Gooding saw red on Monday for diving when Thomas believed he should have been awarded a penalty.

To add insult to injury, the Linnetts' equaliser came from a spot-kick given away by Leigh Platnauer, which Thomas disputed.

He said: "I thought Saturday's referee was very poor. The first challenge on Andy Hall (after 27 seconds) was very cynical and could have been a red card. But he didn't even get a yellow, which was a disgrace. I thought his control of the game was very poor.

"Then the referee on Monday gave us yellow cards for everything. The big thing at the moment is respect but I think referees have to earn respect.

"Andy Gooding made a meal of it but he was pushed and it was a penalty. Then he (the referee) gave one against us which wasn't a penalty.

"What disappoints me is that the assessor has said to the referee afterwards (on Monday) that he got all his decisions spot-on. How are they supposed to learn from their mistakes if that is the case?

"I think they should be allowed to use commonsense in the right way. It is something that needs to be looked at.

"I'd be interested to see an honest comment from (FA referees' chief) Keith Hackett if he'd seen the tapes of the two games.

"I know this sounds like sour grapes but I'm not normally one to complain about referees."

Speaking about the action, the Knitters boss added: "Against Solihull it felt like two points lost. We'd been the better side for 75 to 80% of the game but we couldn't take our chances.

"Plus we could have lost at the end after they missed the chance from Tom Bonner's back header.

"Fair play to their keeper, he kept them in it. Plus their two centre-halves scrapped and battled for everything.

"I couldn't ask much more of the players. There were some good individual performances but collectively we looked much more like a team.

"I would have taken a point on Monday but on reflection I came away disappointed we didn't get all three again."

Knitters fans will have been encouraged by the return to action of Adam Webster, who played the final 15 minutes against King's Lynn as he continues his recovery from glandular fever.

"It was a shot in the dark," said Thomas. "I asked him at 1.30pm if he wanted to go on the bench and he said yes.

"When he came on he looked quality. We have missed him badly. But he's not ready yet so I don't want people to get carried away."

Thomas has been given a further boost in the shape of Leon Kelly, who has played two games for Downes, where he netted a goal. He could be involved on Saturday when Gateshead are the visitors.

Craig McIlwain is again a doubt with a thigh problem and Dominic Roma is still out with a knee injury.